Hello from Shoal Bay!  Shoal Bay is in the Port Stephens region, about two hours north of Sydney.  We pulled in yesterday for some much needed relaxation time.  Just kidding.

Really, though, we wanted to take the new car on a road trip and Glen has always talked about this area.  He spent a lot of time here as a kid and I've heard a lot about the area, but I never realized it was so beautiful.  It reminds me a bit of Hawaii, with mountains rising out of turquoise water. 

The towns of Shoal Bay and nearby Nelson Bay are low key and relaxed, a beach scene with little cafes and shops. We've rented the cutest little cabin here for three days.  

We brought our paddle boards and took them out for a two hour paddle in the bay this morning.  The water was so blue and clear - we could see the bottom the whole time!  The water was wavy and bumpy, but the boards handled great.  

Afterwards, we threw on shorts and t-shirts and went into Nelson Bay.  We went to a local fish market where we bought a kilo of prawns, caught here in Port Stephens last night!  We ate them at a picnic table right across the street.  They were absolutely delicious.  When we were done, we went back to the same market and bought a dozen oysters for dinner tonight.

Dare I say it?  I really, really love Port Stephens, it's the newest addition to my 'favorite towns in Australia' list.  

Cheap red wine and pizza is the way to travel on a budget!  We just discovered 'Lambrusco', a sparkling red wine, served chilled.  Perfect for al fresco dining on warm, Spring nights.

Port Stephens taken from a lookout, at the entrance to the bay.

 The fishing looks amazing, (Dad)!

Purple Trees and Pink Paddle Boards

Australia has purple trees!  They're so beautiful!  I've never been in Australia in Spring before, and it is completely unreal.  Everywhere you look the trees and flowers are pastel colored, and the air smells of gardenia's and honey suckle.  My favorite, the purple tree, aka the jacaranda, sprouts purple flowers in the spring.   Glen and I parked under a jacaranda tree yesterday and I was thrilled when we walked out to see our white car covered in purple flowers this morning.  (A less thrilled Glen purposely didn't park there tonight, because the car was "stained and sticky" from the night before).  

We also took our new paddle boards out this morning.  Last Friday, we bought them at a shop at a place called Narrabeen Lake.  We tried two boards out, a 10'6 board and a 9'6 board.  We both preferred the 10'6 board, so we asked if they had another 10'6 for sale and the sales guy ...Matt...or Nat (I still have trouble understanding people) said  "yes, but it's bright pink."  Glen asked if I'd use the pink one if we bought it. I rolled my eyes and mumbled "sure."  But I'm going to tell you a secret....I love it!  The 9 year old girl in me, oh hell, the 38 year old woman in me loves my white paddle board with hot pink decals! Don't tell Glen though, he still thinks I'm a trooper for using the pink board.  

Anyway, we took the boards to Manly Dam today, a beautiful, peaceful place up in the trees.  We used to paddle a lot in Summer in Colorado, so it was exciting thinking that we'll be able to use the boards year round here.  Paddling made me feel like my old, Colorado self.  

Not to say that I feel like I've changed, but life has changed.  Now, everywhere we go is a place I've never been and everything we do is something I've never done.  I love it.  At the same time, it was fun to enjoy one of my old favorite activities, paddle boarding,....in a new place, of course!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Annandale

G'day, Glen here! We thought it was time for me to share some thoughts and adventures on the blog. So here goes!

After our month up north in tropical Queensland (good times but too many crocodiles nearby for our liking, maybe 20 years in the States softened me?) we totally changed up the scenery and moved into Bevan and Celia's place for three weeks while they are off exploring China.

Bevan and I went to the same kindergarten, primary school and high school and lived in the same neighborhood, so I was surprised when they invited us to take care of their beautiful home, given he still remembers our antics the first time my parents left my older brother and I home alone for a week back in 1978.

Their home is in an old historic inner city neighborhood called Annandale which is about 3 miles to the city center. My mother, Bev, grew up in Annandale so we thought it would be nice for her to come over for dinner and stay the night, which she did this week. Bev had not been back to Annandale for many years.  Even though she only lives about 9 miles from here, the harbor and some serious traffic make the trip challenging.

Anyway, we were blown away by how excited she was while exploring all her old haunts including her childhood homes, elementary school, high school, church, the halls she went to dances in and even the one where she made her debut. She shared many stories of life in the neighborhood including all the hot spots for kissing boys.

Our time in Annandale has been very urban and we have used the bus and train system to explore the city including hip Saturday markets, China Town and a Food Festival.  We even went to an Art Gallery exhibition opening in Paddington last night as guests of Zach's girlfriend, Nikki, who works at the gallery.

While we have been enjoying the inner city energy, the driving has been full on. Our primary mission while here has been to buy a car and equip it with the accessories we will need for our future traveling. Annandale is on Parramatta Rd which is probably Sydney's busiest. It's busy because it is a main artery into and out of the city but also because it has a huge amount of car yards and many other businesses on both sides. The good news is we have been able to find everything we needed within five or six miles of driving Parramatta Rd, but this involved many missed turns, back street re-routes, tight parking and I'm sure annoyance to the drivers trying to get through their work days behind us. Monday we get the stereo changed out to a blue tooth ready with reverse camera set up, then hopefully we are finished with Parramatta Rd and Jen's lessons in colorful Aussie language can be shelved for the time being.

This weekend we have started our physical and mental transition from urban/city back to a beach life mentality. We bought paddle boards yesterday and met with the family we will be house/dog sitting for in January. Talk about "The grass is greener".  They are heading to Colorado for a month of skiing, while we can't wait to watch over their home that is perched on a hill over looking Curl Curl Beach (the same beach I was a junior lifesaver " nipper" way back when).

Next month we'll be looking after my mum's place for a month while she travels and holidays in Queensland. Mum's place is about a quarter mile to both Freshwater and Curl Curl Beaches. It's still spring in Sydney so the weather varies greatly but we are hoping the water temps and weather will warm up for lots of paddling and beaching through November.

So this is Glen signing off. As you probably guessed we are not missing the snow but we both miss our wonderful friends and family back in the US. We are not big on posting on Facebook but we do enjoy hearing from all ya'll through F.B messenger and please know we are browsing F.B and stalking you.

Mum's back home after so many years

Town Hall and Mum's high school

Spring bloom

Mum, in front of her high school. Built in 1897.

Our new (used) Landcruiser, in front of Bevan & Celia's

Ready to paddle

"The Abbeys"  Annandale

A local church in Annandale

Classic neighborhood fire station

Local Town Hall

The street Mum came home to when she was born.  Not much has changed on the outside.

Planes:  Annandale is close to the Sydney Airport.  Great fun plane-spotting.  Qantas is our favorite!

Whenever I'm upset, I don't sleep.  Worries that seem solve-able during the day wake me up at night and bring me out to the couch.  On Tuesday night, I didn't even bother trying to sleep.  I brushed my teeth, washed my face, grabbed a pillow and blanket and went straight to the couch. 10pm in Sydney is 7am in New York.  My parents, sisters, brother-in-laws and nieces were all at my parents house, on their way to my Grandma's funeral.  I was filled with regret.  I regretted moving 10,000 miles to Australia.  I regretted leaving New York in 1996 to move to Colorado.  I regretted that since I'm eighteen, I've always lived far away from my family.  Most of all, I regretted not being there.  I slept on and off through the night. 

On Wednesday morning, I talked to my Mom, who told me I'm being ridiculous and she loves that I'm happy. 

Then, I tried not to feel regret, because in spite of it all, I am happy.  Each day is exciting and different from the last. 

This past week we had a goal:  Buying a car.  Glen and I drove around, scoping dealerships and researching, before finding the car for us - a 2003 Toyota Landcruiser Prado.  The car buying experience is different than in the US.  We had an inspection done, which in turn the dealership fixes any problems that are found.  One leaking rear shock, a broken fog light and new windshield later, the repairs are being made and the car should be ours tomorrow. 

In the meantime, I'm learning Sydney's public transportation and have been catching ferries, buses and trains.  I've also been driving Celia's car.  Today, I drove across the city to the Northern Beaches.  I drove across the Harbour Bridge...on the left side of the road...Australians are so picky about that!  ;-) 

I've also found a new passion:  Shopping.  (Unfortunate timing, considering we don't have jobs.)  I went shopping with Nikki in Bondi on Thursday night. It was so nice to spend time with her, and when we were done we went to eat at what looked like a little hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant, only to be served the greatest sashimi I've ever eaten.  Ever. 

Glen and I went to the super trendy Paddington Neighborhood and the Paddington Markets on Saturday.  Luckily, I don't have expensive taste...but I did manage to snag a pair of tiny boots that I've noticed women all around Sydney wearing.   

One morning, I video chatted with my friends Larissa, Peyton and Sarah in Breckenridge while they drank wine and I sipped coffee.  They put the phone on the table and we chatted like I was right there with them.   

On Friday morning, Glen and I had a huge run on Bondi Beach.  Just when we thought we were too tired to run anymore, we realized the parking meter would expire in 20 minutes.  I grabbed the car keys and ran ahead another three kilometers, arriving at the car with three minutes to spare, making me the hero of the day.

That night, we went into the city to sample the Noodle Markets (Local Asian Restaurants set up booths, where you can sample tastings from their menu).  It was a blast, but in usual Friday night event fashion, it quickly got crowded and the lines became so long, we wandered the city in search of a restaurant that served noodles...and found one without problem.

On Sunday, I drank (too much) wine with my sister-in-law, Megan.  I stopped drinking when, to my horror, I heard myself saying "I've never seen Drach Zunk."

I've called and video chatted with my family more than I ever did in Colorado, because I miss them so much. 

This week has been an emotional rollercoaster, filled with sadness, happiness, excitement and regret.  That's okay.  Those emotions are all a part of living, and living life is exactly what I came here to do. 

Beautiful Bondi Beach, start and end of the longest run I've done in Australia, 15 kilometers/9 miles!

Hopefully we'll have this car tomorrow!  That bar on the front is called a 'Roo Bar.'  So if you hit a kangaroo, it doesn't hurt the car...but likely hurts the kangaroo.  Even so, I really, really, don't want to hit a kangaroo. 

The ultra cool Paddington Neighborhood, home of the Paddington Markets! 

Last night (Sunday night) at about midnight my phone started buzzing.  Half asleep, I squeezed my phone to make it stop and put it under my pillow.  A minute later it was buzzing again.  Glen woke me and said 'you'd better check that, something might be wrong.'  There were messages from my parents asking me to call. 

I quickly called my Mom, who told me that my Grandma had gone to sleep the night before and never woke up.  

This was coming. At 98, she wasn't well.  Two weeks before I left for Australia I said good bye knowing very well that may be the last time.

I went out to the living room to call my sisters.  It was Sunday morning in NY and I wasn't going to sleep while my family was going through this.  We were going through it together.  

My family and I had discussed this before I left and agreed that if this happened, I wouldn't come back.  But for the first time since I arrived, I didn't want to be in Australia.  I wanted to be home, in New York, with my family.  

I texted and talked with my sisters through the night and one of us always had an update of where my parents and Aunt and Uncle were, what they were doing and the arrangements they were making.  

My Grandma Jean and Grandpa Manny (who died twelve years ago) were such special people.  They had four grandchildren and we each had such a great relationship with them.  

My Grandma was always giggling and so happy. She hugged or kissed everyone, in fact, a lot of other family friends referred to her as Grandma Jean, too.  I realize that living to be 98 is a privilege, but I will miss her forever.

Which leaves me here in Australia, sad and a little bit homesick.  

Mom, I'm so sorry I'm not there for you right now.  I can't believe I'm not going to be able to hug you.

Grandma Jean, as always, I love you big bunches, with hugs, kisses and pinches. 

Here's to you, Grandma, on a life well lived.  

Stay off the Road, Australia!

I've been a little slow with my posting lately.  I actually wrote this entry on Sunday, October 9, but took 24 hours to actually post it.  - Jen

After 12 sunny days on the Gold Coast, we jumped on a plane to Sydney this past Wednesday, an easy hour and fifteen minute flight.  

When we arrived we caught up with our friends Bevan and Celia.  They were heading on vacation until the end of the month and asked if we would like to stay in their house while they're gone.  Their house is absolutely incredible.  I'm going to call one of those real estate shows and walk the camera man around the house while I show him all the rooms and explain the features. 

When Celia was showing me around the house, showing me how everything works, she mentioned we're welcome to use her car.  I asked her if I could drive it and told her I hadn't driven in Australia on this trip yet and she said 'sure!'

So today, Sunday morning, I drove for the first time since August 24.  Years ago, when I had my learner's permit, my Dad used to take me driving on Sunday mornings, so this brought back a memory.  

Keep in mind, we're dealing with a few things here: 

Driving on the other side of the road: After being a passenger here for six weeks it's not as dis-orienting as you might think. 

Driving on the other side of the car:  This is actually pretty confusing (for me).  I put the windshield wipers on instead of signaling.  I drive pretty far over to the left, which Glen said is natural, just before calmly telling me I was going to hit the side wall of the tunnel we were in.  

Driving in the city:  Sadly, this was my biggest problem. Not surprisingly, driving in Breckenridge is not very aggressive.  So today I had to do quick lane changes, drive in narrow lanes with cars all around me, pass cars that were doubled parked, etc.

Maybe you should stay off the road in the US too...just to be safe.

All in all, it was a successful drive and I'd like to keep on driving because it's the only way I'll become comfortable.

It's Springtime in Sydney, which feels like summer to me.  We've been swimming and laying by the pool.  We've been staying in Annandale, a fun, urban area, not a far walk from downtown Sydney, better known as the Central Business District or CBD.  We've been exploring nearby boutiques and markets and on Saturday we went out for drinks and dinner with Zach and his girlfriend Nikki.  

Stay tuned for our next big step - buying a car.  

Bevan & Celia's home.

I'm reading as fast as I can, because there are about 12 books from this room on my nightstand.  

We did actually ask for permission to post photos of their home on the blog!